If I have committed any mistake, I apologize: Narendra Modi

Dec 20, 2012, 09.10PM ISTTNN

Modi said voters have discarded the caste politics of 1980s.

AHMEDABAD: Pitchedforked into the prime ministerial race after his electoral hat-trick and amidst cheers of "PM, PM, PM " from his supporters, chief minister Narendra Modi today apologized to the people of Gujarat if he had committed any mistake.

"If there has been a mistake somewhere, If I have erred somewhere, I seek apology from you, the six crore Gujaratis," Modi said in a victory speech in Hindi, aimed at reaching out to a wider audience.

Modi, who has always been under attack following the 2002 post-Godhara violence and has consistently refused to apologise for the massacre of Muslims, made no mention of it in his 45-minute speech.

"You have given me power. Now you also give me your blessings so that I do not commit any mistake, no one is hurt and there is no mistake by me even unknowingly. When people, who are God to me give their blessings, there is no possibility of a mistake," the Gujarat chief minister said.

Analysts said Modi choosing to speak in Hindi may be a an attempt to reach out to a wider audience at a time when there is speculation about his prime ministerial ambitions.

Taking potshots at his detractors, Modi said he does not need a certificate from anyone after "people have given me the biggest medal".

As the cheering crowd shouted "PM-PM" for Modi, the BJP leader credited his victory to the six crore Gujaratis and his party saying that if he is able to serve Gujarat and take the state to a magnificent level, it was due to the collective strength of people and his party.

Modi said he will visit Delhi on December 27 for a day. "Gujarat is a role model for the elections. The entire election was fought here on the plank of development. Gujarat has endorsed the plank of development and has voted accordingly....

"This victory is not the victory of Narendra Modi but of the six crore Gujaratis and those Indians, who aspire for prosperity and development. This is a victory of all those who wish the country's good," Modi said.

In a veiled attack on Congress, which had announced a number of sops including housing for poor in the run-up to polls, Modi said people have understood the benefits of development in the state.

"Gujarat elections have proved that process of democracy has matured here and people have voted by rising above all kind of greeds with a thinking that they will benefit if Gujarat develops," he said.

Attacking the Centre for its schemes, he said "they will keep splurging money but it is the sweat (hardwork) that will emerge victorious."

He specially thanked the government employees for their hard work which brought success to the state.

"I specially thank all five lakh government employees. I know you have to work even on holidays. Earlier you used to go home by five PM but now you don't go back till 10 PM. By voting for me, you have proved that you are ready to work for the people," he said.

It was being said that government employees are angry and unhappy under the Modi rule, he said, adding, "Today when the postal ballots were opened, everyone was surprised. 70-75 per cent votes of the government employees went with the BJP."

Highlighting his ability to take tough decisions for long term benefits, Modi said, "We never took a decision for immediate benefits that is why we were able to take tough decision in the 11-year rule."

It is said that good governance is bad politics, that is why development is never talked about. But people take a decision rising above all this and people of Gujarat have taken this decision, he said.

Praising the voters for making the "right choice", he said "if there is any hero today, it is the six crore Gujaratis".

Gujarat voters have risen over regionalism, casteism. They deserve the accolades and if you want to learn something, you should learn from them, he said.